By Cauldron of Earth and Blossom of Bone,
The Circle of Life is Unbroken.
By Depth of Sea and Light of Star,
The forms of Life are but Token.

So Mote It Be!

Original poem c.Celestial Elf 2013.

Samhain (pronounced ˈsɑːwɪn/ sow-in) marks the beginning of the "darker half" of the year. It is celebrated from sunset on 31 October to sunset on 1 November- or Halloween, which name developed from All Hallows Eve as the night preceeded All Saints Day in the later Catholic ritual calendar.

The veil is thin between the worlds of the living and dead, this is a liminal time, when the supernatural spirits, fairies and elves ( Aes Sídhe pronounced 'ees shee') could more easily come into our world. Most scholars see these as remnants of the pagan gods and nature spirits. It was believed that the Sidhe needed to be propitiated to ensure that the people and their livestock survived the winter. Offerings of food and drink were left for them.

Death holds no fear for pagans as we understand that death and birth are intertwined. Our goddesses and gods all represent aspects of the cycle of birth, growth, death, and regeneration. Just as every good gardener knows that fertility is born out of decay. and every fallen leaf becomes part of the soil that feeds the roots of growing trees - so each spirit that passes to the Summerlands or beyond enriches the hearts and lives of their family and friends along the way. In this spirit then the dead at Samhain revisit their homes. Feasts are held at which the souls of dead kith and kin are invited and a place set at the table for them. Single candles are also lit in a window to guide these spirits home.

Mumming and guising were traditionally a part of this festival too, and involved people going door-to-door in costume or in disguise, often reciting verses in exchange for food - perhaps originating the Halloween trick or treat tradition. The costumes worn may have been either a way of imitating, or disguising oneself from, the Aes Sídhe.

In the late 19th century, Sir John Rhys and Sir James Frazer (sic) suggested that this was the Celtic New Year, and this view has been upheld by other scholars and the wider pagan community, many of whom call Samhain The Witches New Year, because of its powerful associations.

As at Beltane, special bonfires are lit to protect the community - the Bone-Fire is lit and the whole community takes hands to dance both sunwise and anti-sunwise as it blazes. As the fires wane, some run through the fields with burning embers, throwing them into the air and dancing over them as they glow on the ground. There may also be a leaping competition across the remains of the fire, reminiscent of the Beltane festival. When this is finished, the people return home where in groups they tell tales, duck for apples, share the feast and practised divination with nuts and apples (more details here ).

Blessed Be Sacred Samhain
May Kith & Kin Kindly Guide You
Through All Your Days
And Darkest Nights
The Joy Of Life
Beside You
*